What is fracture of the proximal femur?

Definition. A fracture of the proximal femur also named hip fracture, consists in the break of the upper segment of the femur bone in proximity of the pelvic socket, the acetabulum.

What is the pathophysiology of femur fracture?

The characteristic deformity following a femur fracture is caused by the strong lower extremity muscles which are attached to the femur. The proximal fragment is held in flexion and abduction. The iliopsoas, which attaches at the lesser trochanter, provides a strong flexion vector.

Can fractures occur to the proximal femur?

Hip Fractures Proximal femur fractures are a major cause of morbidity and fatality and occur much more frequently in older people, increasing the costs of osteoporosis. Most commonly, these fractures occur in the femoral neck or intertrochanteric regions and require surgical repair.

What is the proximal femoral shaft?

Proximal femur includes the femoral head, neck and the region 5-cm distal to the lesser trochanter. There is a 125°–130° inclination angle between the head and neck and the femoral body. Further, there is a 15° anteversion angle between the plane passing through the condyles of the femoral head and the femur neck.

What are the major features of the proximal portion of the femur?

Th major features of the proximal femur are the head, greater trochanter, and lesser trochanter.

What muscle attaches to the femur?

The quadriceps include four large muscles, rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, and vastus intermedius. The quadriceps femoris is one of the strongest muscle groups in the body that covers the anterior aspect of the femur.

What are the best exercises for a broken femur?

Lift the bad leg up high on the wall. Use the good leg underneath the bad leg to control how far down the wall the leg will slide. Best Hamstring stretches: Sitting up on a smooth, flat surface extend your leg . You may have difficulty lowering the knee all the way down.

Were do fractures occur most often in the femur?

Most fractures of the femur are hip fractures and occur at the upper end, where the femur connects with the pelvis. Only 3-5% of femur fractures occur between the hip and the knee.

What is the recovery time for femur surgery?

Full recovery from a femur fracture can take anywhere from 12 weeks to 12 months; however, most people begin walking with the help of a physical therapist in the first day or two after injury and/or surgery.

What are the symptoms of a femoral fracture?

Symptoms of a femoral stress fracture. Symptoms include a dull ache deep in the general area of the thigh. There is likely to be pain when a bending force is applied to the femur.